GEODUC and IBIS programs at UW College of the Environment create impact and build community while embracing an evidence-based educational approach to scientific inquiry with nontraditional transfer students.
GEODUC — which stands for Geoscience Education, Oceanographic Discovery and Undergraduate Collaboration — is a place-based, National Science Foundation-funded program spearheaded by faculty and staff in the University of Washington College of the Environment. Created to broaden the depth and breadth of perspectives that inform scientific inquiry in marine science fields. GEODUC actively recruits UW undergraduate transfer students who are interested in STEM fields of any kind.
The size and scope of the UW can be daunting for any new undergraduate, and transfer students face specific challenges that can pose additional obstacles. Many come from nontraditional backgrounds and have financial and caregiving responsibilities outside of school. Most have not had opportunities to take marine and Earth sciences courses elsewhere. Without active, ongoing support from faculty and staff, transfer students can struggle to build community and a sense of belonging.
“[The UW] is such a big campus,” said Maya Rios, an undergraduate in environmental science and resource management. “I was so nervous about not being able to meet people … and having difficulty finding people I had stuff in common with. GEODUC has just completely erased that issue because it introduced me immediately to this pretty big group of people that I can connect with that can be resources for me — and also friends.”
